Major Attractions In Montego Bay

Bob Marley Experience

Although Jamaica’s legendary reggae superstar, Bob Marley, lived in Kingston, his fame could not be ignored in Montego Bay. Devotees of the singer can satisfy their curiosity by visiting the Bob Marley Experience, a theatre and memorabilia store complex at the Half Moon Shopping Village in MoBay. Every hour on the hour, between 10am and 6pm daily, a free screening of a special documentary on Marley’s life and music takes place in the 68-seat wide screen theatre.

Croydon in the Mountains

Jamaica’s national hero, Samuel Sharpe, the slave who led the bloody 'Christmas Rebellion' of 1831 and helped to expedite the emancipation on Jamaica, was born on this still working plantation in the interior, 24 miles (39km) from Montego Bay. Three hour long guided tours of the Croydon coffee and pineapple plantation, run from Montego Bay, have become a must-see for every visitor to the island. Tours give visitors some interesting insights into coffee and pineapple production, as well as the chance to savour some of Jamaica’s exotic fruits.

Doctor’s Cave Beach

The story of Montego Bay's most famous beach began in 1906 when a group of doctors decided to found a bathing club on a beach property donated for the purpose by Dr Alexander James McCatty. Access to the small beach at the time was through a cave - hence the name Doctor's Cave. The cave was destroyed in 1932 in a fierce hurricane, but the bathing club has lived on and the beach has become legendary. The water, fed by mineral springs, is always crystal clear and has a temperature ranging between 78°F and 84°F (22°C and 28°C). Sir Herbert Barker, well-known British osteopath, claimed back in the 1920s that the waters of the beach have curative powers, which made the bathing spot even more alluring for foreign visitors. Today access to the beach, which is located in the middle of Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip', Gloucester Avenue, is controlled through a smart entrance way and a complex of changing rooms, showers, gift shops, and the 'Groovy Grouper' Beach bar.

Falmouth

The rather derelict Georgian port town of Falmouth is about 23 miles (37km) east of Montego Bay and makes for an interesting walking tour. Centre of the town is Water Square, which features the Albert George Shopping and Historical Centre, a market full of little craft stalls that dates from 1895. Also of interest is the former residence of John Tharp, notorious slave owner, and the town house of rich plantation owner Edward Barrett. St Peter’s Anglican Church, dating from 1795, and the William Knibb Memorial Church (a chapel built in memory of Jamaica’s enthusiastic Baptist abolitionist) are also worth a look. Also in the area of Falmouth are a crocodile farm and the Greenwood Great House, once owned by the family of well-known poet, Elizabeth Barret Browning.

Montego Bay Marine Park

The Montego Bay Marine Park is a large area of sea and shore located adjacent to the city of Montego Bay, proclaimed to protect some of Jamaica’s best coral reefs and marine resources. The park is open to all, but has been divided into zones where different activities (for example various watersports and fishing) are allowed or restricted, to conserve the resources. The park’s resource centre is to be found at Pier One Marina on the waterfront in downtown Montego Bay, and provides information about park use and tours, as well as ecological presentations and use of a comprehensive reference library. Private operators also run undersea submersible tours of the reefs.

Rose Hall

The Rose Hall Great House is one of Jamaica’s most popular tourist attractions, particularly because of the Gothic horror legend surrounding the monstrous reign of the last mistress to live in the house. Stunningly beautiful Annie Palmer, known latterly as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall', was murdered in 1831, but not before she had rid herself of three husbands allegedly using voodoo magic. Annie herself was killed during a slave uprising on the estate, brought about by her battle with a slave girl for the love of the estate supervisor. The house, originally built in 1780, was abandoned after her death, but has now been restored. A gift shop and pub are in operation in the dungeon where the white witch is said to have imprisoned and tortured slave victims.